 "Photo:")
Senior guard/forward Raeanna Jewell is an intelligent and friendly woman who has been a huge part of the Lady Zags' tremendous success. Appearing in every Gonzaga game since her freshman year, Jewell's aggressiveness and rebounding skills helped the Zags achieve their perfect 14-0 record in the WCC this season.
"Rae is a dominant force offensively and defensively," junior guard Katie Prichard said. "She can drive and pull-up and shoot the lights out at the three-point line. She also has really quick feet and is strong and tough. Rae is a solid contributor and consistent."
Growing up in the greater Spokane area, Jewell never considered playing for Gonzaga until head coach Kelly Graves talked her into it.
"When I was recruited by Coach Graves, the women's team was horrible but I knew that coach was a good coach and from his impressive record at other schools, I knew that we were going to be a pretty good team. He definitely convinced me to come here," Jewell said.
After spending years at the bottom of the WCC, and only winning two WCC games four years ago, through smart recruiting and excellent coaching, Graves and his coaching staff have managed to turn the program around. Their hard work has paid off with the Bulldogs clenching the WCC title for the first time since the 1987-88 season.
"Winning the WCC is really exciting. We've come a long way and we've worked so hard and it's nice to show it off," Jewell said. "This season could not have gone any better. It's been fun, it's been great and I just hope it keeps going."
The Bulldogs have a veteran team this season with four seniors and four juniors and therefore have a lot of experience playing with one another.
"The juniors and seniors have played together for so long and after a while you get used to playing with them and knowing what they can do and where they're going to be. So being a veteran team has definitely been a big part of our success. We also just have such great team chemistry. It's nice to have 12 really great friends, and the coaches are great. It's going to be sad after it's all done," Jewell said.
The 5 foot 8 inch senior hopes that the Lady Zags' new popularity and recognition will only continue to grow.
"I think more and more fans will continue to come because we've shown we're a good basketball team, and people are starting to realize that now. It's nice that the community finally realizes that we're good; and it's nice now that people around are like, 'Good game' because I never got that before" Jewell said.
Jewell's teammates agree that she is outgoing, sweet and caring, and a friend both on and off the court.
"Rae always brings laughs and smiles. She's someone you want to hang out with because you know you'll always have a good time," sophomore guard Rachel Kane said.
Senior guard and recently named WCC Player of the Year, Shannon Mathews agrees.
"Rae is sweet, caring and lovable. She is always fun to be around, and she is a great friend who is always willing to help out her teammates," Mathews said.
A loyal fan of naps, Jewell doesn't have a lot of free time during the season.
But she prefers being outside and likes to stay active. She started playing basketball at the age of six and hopes to continue playing after college.
However, as a sociology major, Jewell looks forward to a career helping adolescents as well.
"This summer us seniors are going over to Europe, so hopefully I'll get recognized. I would like to play for two years, and I would love to do it for the experience, but I really want to get on with my life too," Jewell said.
"Then I want to get my teacher's certificate and I want to be a high school counselor and high school basketball coach, because I think I can make a big impact on kids at that age."
The team's main goals are to win the WCC tournament and to win at least one game at the NCAA tournament.
"I'm pumped. I'm really, really excited. As long as I just keep playing hard and we just keep doing what we do, I think we're going to succeed," Jewell said.
Jewell wants to leave everything out on the court and have no regrets at the end of her last season as a Bulldog. As a driving force on the team, her enthusiasm and spirit will undoubtedly help the Zags maintain momentum during the WCC tournament.
"Rae is an emotional leader and brings confidence and experience. She really gets pumped up and is really good at getting others pumped up too," senior forward Ashley Burke said.
With an overall record of 22-2 and unquestionably dominating the WCC this year, it looks like Raeanna Jewell and her fellow Zags will continue to see much more success in the 2004-05 season.
Be the first to comment on this article!